Plush toy and method of use

ABSTRACT

A returnable toy assembly including a body enclosing a flowable filler material that is conformable, at least one appendage extending from the body to create a life-like appearance, and an elastically extendable tether to removably couple the body to a portion of a user. The toy assembly may also include an adjustable fastening feature having an adjustable loop formed at an end of the tether such that a circumference of the loop is sizable to couple the body to the portion of the user. Also, a method of playing with a returnable toy assembly includes the steps of securely coupling a body, having at least one appendage extending from the body, to a portion of the user with a sizeable fastening feature; and propelling the body in a direction away from the portion of the user to which the body is coupled.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to toys, and more particularly to returnable plush toys having a body shaped to embody a living creature or another object, to be securely tethered to a user in a returnable manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Returnable tethered toys such as yo-yos are known in the art to generally include an annular body around which a tether is wound. A loop formed at a free end of the tether by tying the free end to another portion of the tether allows the tether to be secured to a user. The loop is typically not sized to securely fit around different sizes of users, requiring a knot to be loosened before the size of the loop can be adjusted. This is not readily accomplished and can prove difficult for young children who lack sufficient finger dexterity. Further, successfully playing with yo-yos is difficult and requires a long time to acquire the skill needed to perform even basic maneuvers, skill that is often beyond the capabilities of young children.

[0003] Generally solid rubber balls have been suspended from an elastic tethers to be coupled to users in a returnable manner. The tethers may include an adjustable loop at a free end to allow the rubber balls to be secured at a variety of locations on the user, and on users of different sizes. Traditionally used as part of a game, the rubber balls can include a retrieving feature to grasp targets that the balls are aimed toward in an attempt to collect the targets with the balls. In use, when the ball is projected away from the user to which the tether is secured, the elasticity of the tether returns the ball toward the user. This simple operation does not require the same skill level required to play with a yo-yo, allowing younger children to enjoy the tethered balls. However, due to the weight and rigidity of the solid rubber balls, they can injure young children if misused, and they are difficult to grasp as they are elastically returned after being thrown. Further, the generally bland appearance of the rubber balls does not appeal to young children who do not want to participate in the games typically played with the rubber balls.

[0004] Stuffed animal toys disposed at an end of an elastic tether typically include a soft, fabric filled body shaped to portray an animal. A rigidly shaped handle is provided at an opposite end of the elastic tether to be held by a child. Lengthy appendages extend from the animal-shaped body and move in a waving motion when the animal is bounced by a user holding the handle. The animal shape of the body and the appendages, in addition to the rigid handle that must be held by the user make the stuffed animal difficult to catch, grasp and hold while it is on its return path toward the user. Further, the light weight of the fabric filler material prevents significant elongation of the elastic tether.

[0005] Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a returnable toy that could be readily and easily adapted to fit different sized appendages on a user or several different users without requiring the user to hold a rigid handle. The returnable toy should be easy to use and grasp, and have an appearance that is attractive to children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a returnable toy assembly including a body enclosing a flowable filler material that is conformable, at least one appendage extending from the body to create a life-like appearance, and an elastically extendable tether to removably couple the body to a portion of a user. The toy assembly may also include an adjustable fastening feature disposed at an end of the tether, wherein the adjustable fastening feature comprises a spring biased clamp that holds a first portion of the tether in a fixed position relative to a second portion of the tether when the clamp is in a clamped position, thereby forming a loop at the end of the tether.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a returnable toy assembly including a body having at least one appendage extending from the body; an elastically extendable tether to removably couple the body to a portion of a user; and fastening means disposed at an end of the tether, the fastening means being sizeable to securely engage the portion to which the body is to be coupled. The toy assembly may also include a plurality of pellets disposed within the body and padding disposed within the body at a location between a front region of the body and a sheathe enclosing the pellets.

[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides a returnable toy assembly including a spherical body formed from a plush material and having an interior cavity, a plurality of freely movable pellets disposed within the interior cavity to be conformable to the shape of an object in contact with the body, at least one appendage extending from the body so as to create a life-like appearance, and an elastic tether to removably couple the body to a user in a manner such that the body is elastically returned toward the user when thrown in a direction away from the user.

[0009] In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of playing with a returnable toy assembly, the method including the steps of securely coupling a body, having at least one appendage extending from the body, to a portion of the user with a sizeable fastening feature; and propelling the body in a direction away from the portion of the user to which the body is coupled. The method may also include the step of attempting to catch the body as it is elastically returned toward the portion of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example arrangement of a user playing with a plush toy in accordance with the present invention, the plush toy in a recoiled position being shown in phantom;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front view of an example arrangement of a plush toy in accordance with the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of an example arrangement of a plush toy in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a top view of an example arrangement of a spring biased clamp having a clamping member in a clamped position in accordance with the present invention, wherein a portion of a spring is shown in hidden lines;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a top view of an example arrangement of a spring biased clamp having a clamping member in an open position allowing a tether to pass through the spring biased clamp in accordance with the present invention, wherein a portion of a spring is shown in hidden lines;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of an example arrangement of a spring biased clamp holding a tether in a fixed position relative to the clamp in accordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of an example arrangement of a body of a plush toy in accordance with the present invention wherein a tether extends from an upper portion of the body;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example arrangement of a portion of a plush toy in accordance with the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 7 of an example arrangement of a plush toy in accordance with the present invention, the plush toy being grasped from above in a hand of a user; and

[0020]FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of an example arrangement of a plush toy in accordance with the present invention, the plush toy being grasped from beneath in a hand of a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

[0021] Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Further, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements throughout the figures, and in order to clearly and concisely illustrate the present invention, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

[0022]FIG. 1 illustrates a plush toy 10 in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention being “bounced” between extended and recoiled positions, with the plush toy 10 in the recoiled position being shown in phantom. The plush toy 10 includes a body 14 that is removably coupled to a user 18 by an elastic tether 22. As shown in FIG. 1, adjustable fastening means 26 disposed at a free end of the tether 22 securely couples the tether 22 to the user in a minimally interfering manner, allowing the user 18 to use all fingers to grasp the body 14 of the plush toy 10 without releasing the tether 22.

[0023]FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrative views of a plush toy 10 in accordance with the example embodiment of the present invention. The body 14 is generally globose, or somewhat spherically shaped when the body 14 is not subjected to externally applied forces. Globose shapes include those having a rounded form resembling that of a globe; globular, or nearly so. However, included within the scope of this definition is a shape approaching that of a sphere with deviations from a perfect spherical shape provided at one or more locations on the body 14. When an externally applied force is exerted on the body 14, such as when the body 14 contacts a foreign object for example, the generally globose or spherical shape of the body 14 is deformed to conform to the shape of the object in contact with the body 14.

[0024] Owing in part to filler material (FIG. 7) disposed within the central cavity 36, the body 14 is at least partially resilient such that the shape of the body 14 at least partially returns to its original, generally globose shape when the externally applied force is no longer exerted on the body 14. Further, when the body 14 is suspended by the tether 22 from an object, the shape of the body 14 may be slightly deformed at an upper portion 42 of the body 14 such that the body 14 takes on a tear-drop shape similar to that of a droplet of a liquid. When the body 14 is so deformed, a lower portion 44 of the body 14 retains its generally globose, or spherical shape while the upper portion 42 of the body 14 includes a partially conical portion 47 having an arcuate apex 52 where the tether 22 extends from the body 14. However, a body 14 formed from a material having a greater or lesser resistance to deformation is also within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the body 14 may elastically return to its original shape upon removal of an external force on the body 14, or, the body 14 may retain the deformed shape when the external force is removed in a manner similar to a conventional bean-bag.

[0025] The material used to form the body 14 in the example embodiment is a plush material comprising a fabric from which a plurality of fibers extend to form a soft layer of napped material on the fabric. The materials are adapted to form a generally smooth texture on the fabric in which individual fibers are minimally visible and the overall effect is that of a single coating of fiber ends. In addition to the plush material, other suitably soft and flexible materials may also be used to form the body 14 and define the central cavity 36. Examples of other suitable soft and flexible materials include cotton, polycotton, silk, wool, leather, velvet, denim, rayon, nylon, plastic, polymeric materials, and the like, and any blends or combination thereof.

[0026] Appendages 56 also formed from a plush material extend from the body 14 to create a life-like appearance. The life-like appearance of the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is that of a dog. Some of the appendages 56, such as the arms 62 and legs 66 of the example embodiment comprise filler material (not shown) to give those appendages 56 a rigid shape. However, the arms 62 and the legs 66 can be formed without the filler material, and appendages 56 other than the arms 62 and legs 66, such as ears 67, for example, can be formed with filler material as desired. The filler material for the appendages 56 can be any suitably soft and resilient material that will provide the appendages 56 with support such that the appendages 56 substantially return to their original shape after an external force applied to the appendages 56 is removed. Other materials, such as rigid, nondeformable materials and fluids can also be used as the filler material for the appendages 56 without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, the term appendages 56 comprises any body part and other projection that extends from body 14, and any body part and other object provided to an exposed surface 32 of the body 14. Example appendages 56 include objects such as an arm, a leg, an ear, a foot, a paw, a trunk, a wing, a fin, a tail, a horn, a tusk, a hoof, a flipper, a tongue and a tooth. Other objects such as items that can be held with an appendage such as a bow and arrow, for example, and articles of clothing such as a hat, scarf and glasses can also be included as part of the toy 10.

[0027] The body 14 can also support facial features such as eyes 69, a mouth 70 and a nose 71, for example, to more accurately depict the basis of the body's 14 life-like appearance. Such facial features can extend from the body 14 or be flush with an outer surface of the body 14. Further, they may be sewn, adhesively fastened and/or painted on the body 14.

[0028] Alternatively, other body 14 shapes of appropriate size and shape can be used to make the body 14 graspable in the hand of the user 18. Examples include a body 14 having a shape that closely resembles that of an animal, or other life-like appearance, an oblong shape, and other geometric shape.

[0029] The tether 22 is generally elastically deformable in an axial direction to allow the body 14 to be displaced in the axial direction relative to the fastening means 26. The tether 22 is also flexible in directions other than the axial direction for coupling the body 14 to the user 18. Because of the elastic and flexible nature of the tether 22, the body can be projected generally downwardly from an outstretched hand of the user 18, or the body 14 can be directed generally horizontally away from the user 18, for example. Regardless of the direction in which the body 14 is projected, the elastic nature of the tether 22 causes the tether 22 to recoil along a return path directed generally toward the user 18, or a portion of the user 18 to which the body 14 is removably coupled.

[0030] The fastening means 26 is provided at a free end 68 (FIG. 6) of the tether 22, the fee end 68 being opposite an end 72 adjacent to the body 14. The fastening means 26 comprises a spring biased clamp 76 adapted to maintain a loop 79 at a predetermined circumference at the free end 68 while allowing the size of the loop 79 to be adjusted when desired to securely fit the user 18. Shown best in FIGS. 4-6, the spring biased clamp 76 comprises a clamping member 84 telescopically displaceable along axis 86 relative to a frame 88. The clamping member 84 and the frame 88 each have an aperture 92, 96 extending therethrough. An overlapping portion of the apertures 92, 96 is horizontally aligned in vertical registry to define a common interior passage 99 that extends through the clamping member 84 and the frame 88.

[0031] To form the loop 79 according to the example embodiment, a length of the tether 22 is passed through the common interior passage 99 and the free end 68 is held adjacent to another portion of the tether 22 by the clamp 76. A spring 104 biases the clamping member 84 to a clamped position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. In the clamped position, the clamping member 84 is extended in an outward direction such that the size of the common interior passage 99 is minimized. The aperture 92 of the clamping member 84 is horizontally offset from the aperture 96 of the frame 88 such that the tether 22 is restricted from sliding vertically through the clamp 76 and the size of the circumference of the loop 79 is held constant.

[0032] When adjustment of the loop 79 circumference is desired, such as when the body 14 is to be coupled to a different portion of the user 18 for example, a sufficient force is applied to the clamping member 84 in a generally inward direction. The force overcomes the biasing force of the spring 104 and causes displacement of the clamping member 84 inward along the axis 86. With the clamping member 84 in this position, as shown in FIG. 5, the size of the interior passage 99 is maximized, allowing the tether 22 to slide vertically through the interior passage 99, thereby altering the circumference of the loop 79.

[0033]FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section of the body 14 taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 3. The filler material comprises a plurality of free moving pellets 112 disposed within a flexible sheathe 116. Padding 108 may also be enclosed within the body 14 and can be a soft, fibrous material that provides the body 14 with a degree of resiliency such that the body 14 at least partially returns to its original, pre-deformed shape after being subjected to an external force, such as when a foreign object makes contact with the body 14. Other suitably soft materials having a resilient quality can also be used as the padding 108. Further, the padding 108 serves to soften the impact experienced by the user 18 when the body 14 contacts the user 18 pursuant to a method of using the plush toy 10 described below. In the example embodiment, the padding 108 is disposed between the sheathe 116 and a front portion 117 of the body 14 upon which the facial features may be supported.

[0034] The sheathe 116 is made from a flexible material in the form of webbing to allow air to pass through the sheathe 116 and to maximize the flexibility of the sheathe 116. Within the sheathe 116 are the plurality of generally spherical pellets 112 made from a resilient material, such as polyethylene, foamed styrene, or other suitable material suitable to provide weight to the body 14 that contributes to the deformation and elongation of the tether 22 during use. When the body, and in turn, the sheathe 116, are subjected to pressure, such as when the body 14 is grasped as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pellets 112 are able to flow and redistribute themselves much in the same way as a fluid. Thus, when the body 14 is grasped by the user 18, the pellets 112 are displaced from the volume of space occupied by the hand of the user 18 and flow into unoccupied portions within the interior of the sheathe 116. The flow and redistribution of the pellets 112 enable the body 14 of the plush toy 10 to conform to the contours of the hand of the user 18 when the body 14 is being grasped. The situation shown in FIG. 9 illustrates the body 14 impacting the hand of the user 18 after the tether 22 has recoiled. As such, the pellets 112 are still suspended adjacent to the upper portion 42 of the body 14.

[0035] Although the filler material has been described above as comprising a plurality of pellets 112 within a sheathe 116, other flowable materials may also be used. Flowable materials include any material that can be redistributed in a manner similar to that of a fluid. Examples of such materials generally include liquids, gels, sand, fine granular materials, other amorphous materials and the like. A sheathe 116 that is adapted to contain the particular flowable material chosen is to be used in the body 14 of the plush toy 10.

[0036] A line 118 fastened to a portion of the body 14 maintains the relational positions of the sheathe 116 and the padding 108. As shown in FIG. 7, the line 118 forms a loop from the front portion 117 of the body 14, through the sheathe 16, and back to the front portion 117 of the body 14. However, a line 118 of any design suitably fastened to both the body 14 and the sheathe 116 may be used.

[0037] Although the example embodiment described above comprises a life-like appearance of a dog, the life-like appearance may resemble any creature such as any other animal including, but not limited to, human beings, fictional characters, mythical creatures, insects, and prehistoric creatures; plants; and any other object, whether living, dead, or inanimate. FIG. 8 shows another example embodiment of the present invention having a life-like appearance resembling an elephant. The elephant comprises a generally globose, or spherical body 14, appendages including arms 62 and legs 66, a tusk 122, a trunk 126, ears 67, and a tether 22. Regardless of the life-like appearance of the plush toy 10, the internal features and other facial features are similar to those described above.

[0038] As described above, the body 14 in the example embodiment of the plush toy 10 is provided with appendages 56 to create a life-like appearance of a dog. However, the example embodiment of the dog is illustrated in a generally upright posture having arms 62, which of course, does not accurately portray the physical appearance of a real dog. Instead of accurately reflecting the physical appearance of the real dog, the example embodiment is a personification of the real dog that gives the body 14 a more child-friendly appearance. The body 14, appendages 56 and facial features of the plush toy 10 are also characaturized, or exaggerated to further enhance the child-friendly appearance. Thus, the present invention includes life-like appearances that are not accurate portrayals of the living or non-living creature the body 14 is based on, as well as accurate portrayals and all variations therebetween. This is true not only for the example embodiment of the dog, but also for all other life-like appearances mentioned above, and others not specifically set forth herein but included within the scope of the present invention. Alternatively, the body 14 could be a non-life-like object such as an inanimate object or a fanciful shape.

[0039] In use, the circumference of the loop 79 is adjusted to fit around the portion of the user 18 to which the body 14 is to be coupled. Pressing the clamping member 84 inwardly relative to the frame 88 makes the interior passage 99 large enough in diameter to allow the tether 22 to pass through the interior passage 99 (FIG. 5). Passing the tether 22 through the interior passage 99 toward the loop 79 increases the circumference of the loop 79 while passing the tether 22 through the interior passage toward the body 14 decreases the circumference of the loop 79. Once the desired circumference is achieved, the loop 79 is placed around the portion of the user 18 and the clamping member 84 is released, allowing the spring 104 to bias the clamping member 84 to the clamped position (FIG. 4). With the clamping member 84 in the clamped position, the circumference of the loop 79 is held generally constant, with possible minor variations due to the elastic deformation of the portion of the tether 22 forming the loop 79. The circumference of the loop 79 can be further adjusted in a similar manner with the loop 79 in place around the portion of the user 18 to ensure a secure fit.

[0040] With the loop 79 in place on the user 18, the user 18 can dedicate all fingers to grasp the body 14 without releasing the loop 79 from the user 18, and with minimal effort to maintain the coupling of the body 14 to the user 18. The body 14 is to be projected in a direction from the user 18, and/or portion of the user 18 to which the loop 79 is secured. As the body 14 travels in the direction that it was projected, the tether 22 is extended in the axial direction of the tether 22 until the body 14 reaches a static position (FIG. 1, solid figure). In the static position, an elastic force of the tether 22 is equal to the force exerted by the body 14 on the tether 22 as the body 14 travels in the axial direction. The tether 22 then recoils and body 14 is then returned along the return path to the user 18 or the portion of the user 18 to which the loop 79 is secured to (FIG. 1, phantom figure). As the body 14 travels along the return path the user 18 can attempt to catch the body 14 or simply redirect the body 14 in a different direction, for example. Other games and methods of using the plush toy 10 may be practiced without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0041] It should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A returnable toy assembly comprising: a body enclosing a flowable filler material that is conformable; and an elastically extendable tether to removably couple the body to a portion of a user.
 2. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 1 further comprising an adjustable fastening feature disposed at an end of the tether.
 3. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 2, wherein the adjustable fastening feature comprises a spring biased clamp that holds a first portion of the tether in a fixed position relative to a second portion of the tether when the clamp is in a clamped position, thereby forming a loop at the end of the tether.
 4. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable fastening feature comprises an adjustable loop formed at an end of the tether such that a circumference of the loop is sizable to couple the body to the portion of the user.
 5. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 1, wherein the filler material comprises a plurality of free moving pellets.
 6. The return toy assembly according to claim 5, wherein the pellets are contained within a deformable sheathe disposed within the body.
 7. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 6, wherein the enclosure is coupled by a line to the body.
 8. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 6, further comprising padding disposed within the body between a frontal region of the body and the enclosure.
 9. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 8, wherein the padding is a fibrous material.
 10. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed from a plush material.
 11. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a facial feature on an outer surface of the body.
 12. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 1, wherein the appendage is one or more of the group consisting of an arm, a leg, an ear, a foot, a paw, a trunk, a wing, a beak, a fin, a tail, a horn, a tusk, a hoof, a flipper, a tongue, and a tooth.
 13. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 1, wherein the life-like appearance created is one or more of the group consisting of a fish, an animal, a human being, a fictional character, and a prehistoric creature.
 14. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 1, wherein the life-like appearance created is a characaturized portrayal of one or more of the group consisting of a fish, an animal, a human being, a fictional character, and a prehistoric creature.
 15. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body is generally globose.
 16. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 1 further comprising at least one appendage extending from the body to create a life-like appearance.
 17. A returnable toy assembly comprising: a body having at least one appendage extending from the body; an elastically extendable tether to removably couple the body to a portion of a user; and fastening means disposed at an end of the tether, the fastening means being sizeable to securely engage the portion to which the body is to be coupled.
 18. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 17, wherein the body is generally globose shaped.
 19. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 17, wherein the body is deformable when subjected to pressure.
 20. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 17, wherein the body is formed from a plush material.
 21. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 17, wherein the appendage is one or more of the group consisting of an arm, a leg, an ear, a foot, a paw, a trunk, a wing, a beak, a fin, a tail, a horn, a tusk, a hoof, a flipper, a tongue, and a tooth.
 22. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 17, wherein the fastening means comprises a clamp that holds a first portion of the tether in close proximity to a second portion of the tether, thereby forming a loop at one end of the clamp.
 23. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 22, wherein the clamp comprises a spring biased clamping member that is adjustable between an open position and a clamped position.
 24. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 23, wherein a circumference of the loop is adjustable when the spring biased member of the clamp is adjusted to the open position.
 25. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 17, wherein the appendage extends from the body in a manner that creates a life-like appearance.
 26. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 25, wherein the life-like appearance created is one or more of the group consisting of a fish, an animal, a human being, a fictional character, and a prehistoric creature.
 27. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 25, wherein the life-like appearance created is a characaturized portrayal of one or more of the group consisting of a fish, an animal, a human being, a fictional character, and a prehistoric creature.
 28. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 17 further comprising a plurality of pellets disposed within an interior cavity of the body.
 29. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 28 further comprising a deformable sheathe in which the pellets are contained within the body.
 30. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 29, wherein the enclosure is coupled by a line to the body.
 31. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 29 further comprising padding disposed within the body.
 32. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 31, wherein the padding is disposed within the body at a location between a front region of the body and the enclosure.
 33. A returnable toy assembly comprising: a generally globose body formed from a plush material and having an interior cavity; a plurality of freely movable pellets disposed within the interior cavity to be conformable to the shape of an object in contact with the body; at least one appendage extending from the body so as to create a life-like appearance; and an elastic tether to removably couple the body to a user in a manner such that the body is elastically returned toward the user when thrown in a direction away from the user.
 34. The returnable toy assembly according to claim 33, wherein the body is spherical.
 35. A method of playing with a returnable toy assembly, the method comprising the steps of: securely coupling a body, having at least one appendage extending from the body, to a portion of the user with a sizeable fastening feature; and propelling the body in a direction away from the portion of the user to which the body is coupled.
 36. The method according to claim 35 further comprising the step of attempting to catch the body as it is elastically returned toward the portion of the user.
 37. A method of playing with a returnable toy assembly, the method comprising the steps of: securely coupling a body enclosing a flowable material to a portion of the user with an elastic tether; propelling the body in a direction away from the portion of the user to which the body is coupled; and catching the body as it is elastically returned toward the portion of the user. 